As anticipation builds for the 2025 UEFA Champions League final, all eyes are not only on Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, but also on István Kovács, the Romanian referee appointed to officiate the high-stakes showdown set for Saturday at the Munich Football Arena.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 21:00 CET, features PSG’s pursuit of their first-ever UCL title and Inter Milan’s attempt to clinch a fourth crown. Leading the officiating crew is 40-year-old Kovács, bringing experience and a track record of top-tier European matches to the grand finale.
A Familiar Face in UEFA Finals
Kovács is no stranger to major UEFA fixtures. This final marks his third UEFA club competition final:
- 2024 UEFA Europa League final (Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin)
- 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League final (Roma vs Feyenoord in Tirana)
In the 2024/2025 Champions League season, Kovács has already officiated seven matches, including the high-tension Round of 16 second leg between Liverpool and PSG, where his calm control was widely applauded.
All-Romanian Crew on the Field
Joining Kovács on the pitch are his Romanian compatriots:
- Mihai Marica (Assistant Referee)
- Ferencz Tunyogi (Assistant Referee)
Other officials include:
- Fourth Official: Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro (Portugal)
- Reserve Assistant: Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus (Portugal)
The VAR team comprises:
- Dennis Johan Higler (Netherlands) – Lead VAR
- Catalin Sorin Popa (Romania) – Assistant VAR
- Paulus van Boekel (Netherlands) – Support VAR
- Past Controversies & Why UEFA Chose Kovács
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Kovács’ appointment has stirred mixed reactions, with fans recalling his controversial calls during Euro 2024, particularly in the Czechia vs Turkey match. However, UEFA’s decision to choose Kovács over Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who was previously favored, reflects a strategy to preserve officiating integrity.
Marciniak was reportedly sidelined after heavy criticism following his performance in the Inter-Barcelona semifinal, where Barcelona midfielder Pedri even called for a formal investigation into the officiating.
As reported by Tribuna.com, UEFA’s choice of Kovács appears to be a move to avoid further controversies and ensure a balanced and controlled final.
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